Horned
Grebe, Podiceps
auritus

Horned Grebes winter on both coasts and through much of
the US Southeast, and are familiar wintering birds in the
SF Bay Area where I live. They breed mostly in Canada and
Alaska, and develop their spectacular breeding plumage,
shown here in photographs taken in Anchorage, shortly
before they depart for their breeding grounds.

Above and below are photos showing the non-breeding
plumage as we see it in winter in the Bay Area.

Horned Grebe in front of the similar Eared Grebe, both in
non-breeding plumage. Note the sharp division
between white and dark on the face of the Eared, and the
differently shaped heads and bills of the two
species.